large scale chrome finishes

Marlonius · Post by **Marlonius** » Thu Oct 20, 2005 11:26 am

No, I'm not building the Naboo ship from Episode 1, but doing something along those lines.

I'm building a replica of my dad's old motorcycle, a 1966 Honda Superhawk. Although the kit comes with a couple of chrome plated trees, the fenders, which dear old dad had had chromed aftermarket on his bike, are not.

Like any modeling project, faithfulness to the original is paramount here.

And so I put it to you fine folks: any suggestions on how to best achieve the chrome finish on a 1/8th motorcycle fender?

I'm thinking bare-metal, but I'm not sure if it would work over such a large area.

All suggestions apprciated!

Marlon

Jonas Calhoun · Post by **Jonas Calhoun** » Thu Oct 20, 2005 1:56 pm

Ever since a wise man told me to strip the plated chrome off the parts and replace with Alclad, I've been a very happy man.

You don't need to worry about anything matching, where the parts cut from the sprue damaging the chrome, etc. And Alclad's unbelievably easy to use (as long as you follow the directions!)

Dan

Marlonius · Post by **Marlonius** » Thu Oct 20, 2005 3:35 pm

Thanks Dan,

Next question: what is Alclad and where do I get some? I want this bike to be really special for my dad, so I'm willing to go to considerable lengths.

-Marlon

Jonas Calhoun · Post by **Jonas Calhoun** » Sun Oct 23, 2005 12:11 am

It's a metallic paint, similar to Testors Metalizer, but much more durable. Matt Swan has a good writeup at http://www.swannysmodels.com/Alclad.html

It's in most good hobby shops.

As for online:
http://www.jjfpub.mb.ca/hobby_supplies.htm

Looks like they are in Canada, at least...

Dan

Marlonius · Post by **Marlonius** » Sun Oct 23, 2005 7:48 pm

Again, thanks. That info is just what I need. There are a couple of big hobbyshops in Edmonton here, so I'll check around.

-Marlon

Kekker · Post by **Kekker** » Mon Oct 24, 2005 3:55 pm

At the last IPMS nats in Virginia Beach a few years ago, they had a display of the Breitling Orbiter balloon - the 'round the world job that had a mylar top to the balloon. The model had been hit with the Chrome Alclad, and I would have sworn it was real mylar! It was that shiny. Do it the way they say, and you'll get an amazing finish.

Kev

gunpowder · Post by **gunpowder** » Mon Nov 14, 2005 12:37 pm

Does the Chrome, look as good as the original plating then? I hear that you have to use enamel black for the chrome. Can i use other thinners for cleaning ?

Thanks

HWR MKII · Post by **HWR MKII** » Mon Nov 14, 2005 1:50 pm

The Alcad looks better than the plating. It has a thinner scale look and feel to it that the thick plating just doesnt have.

Post by **TER-OR** » Mon Nov 14, 2005 10:51 pm

Yeah, way better than the chrome plating. The car modelers will remove teh chrome plate and re-paint with Alclad.

The primer coat is very important for Alclad. It must be an even gloss - though you can play with anodizing effects if you apply over matte primer.

gunpowder · Post by **gunpowder** » Tue Nov 15, 2005 2:13 am

What about cleaning up? Do i have to use their own brand ?

sbaxter · Post by **sbaxter** » Tue Nov 15, 2005 12:06 pm

gunpowder wrote:What about cleaning up? Do i have to use their own brand ?

I used plain old lacquer thinner with no problems.

Qapla'

SSB